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Track: Coaches get creative in dealing with weather in practices

St. Croix Central track athletes, led by Claire Moll, Sydney Carlson and Mariah Withuski, are shown running 400s in the snow during practice last week. Photo by Rachel Hanson

The weather has been far from ideal for the track practices that began around the state last week. With indoor track meets scheduled to begin next week, area coaches have been getting creative in trying to get their athletes into condition.

St. Croix Central will get its competitive season started this season by hosting a scrimmage for athletes in shot put, high jump and pole vault. Those events will be held in the school’s gyms. The Panther distance runners haven’t let the weather cut into their work. In one of the practices last week, the Panthers waded through shin-high snow to run 400s.

Central coach Ben Lamb said the key to preseason practices, especially when the weather doesn’t cooperate, is to keep the focus on fun.

St. Croix Central and Somerset will open their seasons on Tuesday, March 19, in a meet at UW-Stout. Somerset has also made fun a big part of getting its work done. The Spartans have been running hills to get their legs in condition. Then at the top of the hill, they sled down the hill, before running back up again.

New Richmond begins its season with a junior varsity meet at UW-Eau Claire on March 19 and a meet at UW-Stout on March 21.

Dave Newman has been the sports editor at the New Richmond News since 1988. He has covered the action in the Middle Border Conference, Dunn-St. Croix Conference and Big Rivers Conference for more than 30 years.